Key Takeaways
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Victor Osimhen and other Nigerian footballers are absent from the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year shortlist.
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CAF announced 10 nominees for the individual men’s award.
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Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi and Amad Diallo are among the prominent names on the shortlist.
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The Super Eagles’ omission follows Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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No Super Falcons player reportedly made the Women’s Player of the Year shortlist, but Nigeria received a Women’s National Team of the Year nomination.
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CAF also announced nominees for the Young Player, Goalkeeper, National Team, Club and coaching categories.
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The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and other Nigerian football stars have been left out of the 10-man shortlist for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.
CAF announced the nominees on Wednesday through its official X account, revealing a list featuring some of Africa’s most recognised footballers, including Senegal’s Sadio Mané, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo.
The omission means Nigeria will have no representative in the race for this year’s Men’s Player of the Year award, marking a disappointing development for the country’s football supporters.
CAF Announces 10 Nominees for Men’s Player of the Year
The 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year shortlist features 10 footballers representing several African nations.
Among the leading names are former African Player of the Year Sadio Mané, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi and Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo.
The complete list of nominees is:
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
- Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
- Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
- Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
- Pape Gueye (Senegal)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal)
- Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
The absence of Osimhen and other Nigerian players means the country will not have an individual representative competing for the men’s top award at this year’s ceremony.
Nigeria’s Recent Football Results Add to the Disappointment
Nigeria’s omission from the shortlist comes after a difficult period for the Super Eagles, who failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Nigerian team lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025.
After playing a 1-1 draw following extra time, the Super Eagles were defeated 4-3 on penalties, bringing their World Cup qualification campaign to an end.
Despite that disappointment, Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.
The CAF shortlist announcement also follows reports that no Super Falcons player made the final nominations for the Women’s Player of the Year award.
However, Nigeria’s women’s national team secured recognition in another category, earning a nomination for Women’s National Team of the Year.
Full List of Other 2026 CAF Awards Nominees
Alongside the Men’s Player of the Year shortlist, CAF announced nominees across several other award categories.
Men’s Young Player of the Year
The 10 nominees are:
- Ibrahim Maza
- Christian Kofane
- Christ Inao
- Yan Diomande
- Hamza Abdelkarim
- Caleb Yirenkyi
- Ismaël Kamissoko
- Abdellah Ouazane
- Ayoub Bouaddi
- Ibrahim Mbaye
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
The 10 nominees are:
- Oussama Benbot (Algeria)
- Vozinha (Cabo Verde)
- Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast)
- Lionel Mpasi (DR Congo)
- El Mahdy Soliman (Egypt)
- Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt)
- Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Morocco)
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
- Édouard Mendy (Senegal)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Men’s National Team of the Year
The nominated national teams are:
- Algeria
- Cabo Verde
- Ivory Coast
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tunisia
Men’s Club of the Year
The 10 nominated clubs are:
- CR Belouizdad
- USM Alger
- AS Maniema Union
- Zamalek SC
- AS FAR
- Olympic Club Safi
- RS Berkane
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Al Hilal SC
- ES Tunis
Men’s Coach of the Year
The supplied article also lists the following 10 nominees under an additional coaching category:
- Lamine N’Diaye
- Pedro Leitão Brito, popularly known as Bubista
- Sébastien Desabre
- Hossam Hassan
- Moatamed Gamal
- Alexandre Santos
- Mohamed Ouahbi
- Walid Regragui
- Pape Thiaw
- Miguel Cardoso
2026 CAF Awards Ceremony Scheduled for Lagos
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, December 7.
Winners across the various categories are expected to be announced during the event, which will bring together nominees and representatives from across African football.
With the men’s Player of the Year shortlist confirmed, attention will now turn to the ceremony and the eventual winners.
Although Nigerian players are absent from the individual men’s top award nominations, the country’s presence in the Women’s National Team of the Year category provides a separate opportunity for Nigerian football to receive recognition at this year’s CAF Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Victor Osimhen nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award?
No. Victor Osimhen is not included in the 10-man shortlist announced for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
2. How many players are nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award?
CAF announced 10 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year award.
3. Which African footballers are among the 2026 CAF Player of the Year nominees?
The shortlist includes Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi, Amad Diallo, Yoane Wissa, Antoine Semenyo, Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Teboho Mokoena.
4. Did any Nigerian player make the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year shortlist?
No. According to the supplied announcement, Nigeria has no representative among the 10 men’s nominees.
5. Did the Super Falcons receive a nomination at the 2026 CAF Awards?
The supplied article reports that no Super Falcons player made the Women’s Player of the Year shortlist. However, Nigeria received a nomination in the Women’s National Team of the Year category.
6. When will the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony take place?
The ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, according to the supplied article.
7. Which countries have players nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award?
The nominees represent Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa.
8. Which other categories have nominees announced for the 2026 CAF Awards?
The supplied article lists nominees for Men’s Young Player of the Year, Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Men’s National Team of the Year, Men’s Club of the Year and the coaching category.
